Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Children's Specialized Hospital

Effective April 2, 2025

The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our number one priority. Please be aware of the following guidelines before visiting one of our hospitals or health care facilities. Additionally, for the purposes of the below visitation policy, the concept of parenthood encompasses, without limitation, legal parents, foster parents, same sex parents, step parents, those serving in loco parentis and other persons operating in caregiver roles.

Please be aware of the following guidelines before visiting one of our hospitals or health care facilities — visitation exceptions may be made in certain circumstances:

• Pediatric Long-Term Care Units
  Visitation may vary based on New Jersey Department of Health guidelines. Please contact the individual units for further information.
  • Children’s Specialized Mountainside (908) 301-5450
  • Children’s Specialized Toms River (732) 797-3800
• Inpatient Rehab Unit: Parents and guardians can visit 24/7 with sleeping accommodations for one at bedside. Grandparents and siblings can visit from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Non-family visitors can visit from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Four people may visit with a patient on the unit at a time. One parent/guardian may sleep at bedside overnight. Subject to change at any time at the hospital's discretion.
• Outpatient Sites: Two parents/guardians/caregivers and siblings will be permitted per patient. Patients with physical disabilities or where the disability may be due to altered mental status, intellectual or cognitive disability, communication barriers or behavioral concerns will also be permitted an additional support person.

We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

Extenuating circumstances to the temporary guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient. These extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

• Patients on hospice or at the end of life
• Patients who are critically unstable
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (ONE single-time visitor immediately after the procedure may be permitted)
• Patients in need of a medical guardian or decision-maker
• At the discretion of the hospital, one visitor may be able to accompany a patient in Ambulatory Care or other outpatient areas

Safety Measures and Personal Protective Equipment

In response to the stabilization of key respiratory viral benchmarks across RWJBarnabas Health and the region, effective Wednesday, April 2, masking will be optional at all RWJBarnabas Health locations for staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors.

Please note:

• Masking may still be required for certain patients on standard infection prevention protocols, and/or on units responsible for the care of vulnerable patients at the determination of each site.
• Masks will continue to be available to staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors in our facilities.
• Masking will be requested of all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, if tolerated, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
• Should a patient request their caregiver wear a mask, staff and providers are expected to comply.

While we expect the trajectory of respiratory viral activity will continue to move in this positive direction, we will remain vigilant in monitoring benchmarks and may adjust policies accordingly to ensure the safety of our workforce and communities. This could potentially include requiring masks again should we see increases in contagious respiratory viruses and/or communicable diseases moving forward.

As always, we encourage you and our communities to take steps to reduce the spread of contagious illnesses by remaining up-to-date with appropriate vaccinations and boosters; choosing to wear a mask if you aren’t feeling well and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, influenza and/or another contagious illness; and observing isolation guidelines when appropriate.

Visiting Outpatient and Medical Group Facilities

When visiting our outpatient or Medical Group facilities:

• Masking is optional in all RWJBarnabas Health facilities for patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and physicians.
• Masking is REQUIRED for all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
• Every patient has the right to request their provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them.

Upon checking in, please let a member of our team know if you are experiencing any of the following:

1. If you have a fever or have felt feverish in the last 24 hours or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
   • Fever or chills
   • Cough
   • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
   • Fatigue
   • Muscle or body aches
   • Headache
   • New loss of taste or smell
   • Sore throat
   • Congestion or runny nose
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Diarrhea
2. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another contagious respiratory illness, such as influenza or RSV) within the last 10 days.
3. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection (or another contagious respiratory illness) in the last 10 days even if you are asymptomatic.

Thank you for your cooperation and your efforts to help keep our patients, staff and communities safe.

Prior to and During the Visit

All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient.

Once in the hospital or facility, visitors shall remain in the patient’s room as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital or facility staff to leave during an aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave.

All visitors must comply with all reasonable requirements imposed by the hospital or facility to minimize the potential spread of infection.

Gatherings of family members, friends and other acquaintances of the patient in family lounges, waiting areas, the lobby, cafeterias or restaurants on campus is not permitted.

CSH understands that a hospitalization can be a stressful and uncertain time for many. The visitation policy reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our patients while prioritizing the safety of all those who enter our facilities.

Our staff and physicians are here to support you and your loved ones and will take into consideration any requests that are made beyond the parameters of this policy in the best interest of the patient.

With guidance from the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional and local health departments, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve.

When not available to visit, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

In-Room Virtual Visits

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.